Franklin council declines closed session, leaves high‑school access dispute on the table

The Franklin Common Council on Thursday declined to enter closed session to discuss threatened litigation over conditional approvals for Franklin High School and instead voted to receive the matter and take no further action at the special meeting. Mayor Nelson opened the citizen comment period and then restarted the agenda item concerning a resolution and conditional‑use permits for Franklin High School at 8222 South 50 First Street. Dozens of neighborhood residents urged the council to keep Highview Drive limited to “emergency access only” and to preserve a conservation easement in the woods behind the school. The matter is tied to a September 2 council resolution and a planning commission public hearing on Aug. 21. The agenda item included an option for the council to enter closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(g) to…